Aswan High Dam, Temple of Philae and the Unfinished Obelisk

Explore Aswan and discover this most popular site on this guided tour to the High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and the alluring Temple of Philae, set on its own island in the Nile.

1. 1

   Aswan High Dam

   30 min

   the magnificent Aswan High Dam. Although it was constructed several millennia after the majority of Egypt’s iconic landmarks, the High Dam is equally as impressive. A miracle of modern engineering, the dam is 364 feet high and spans for over two miles and contains eighteen times the material used to build the Great Pyramid of Cheops. Once, the largest rock-filled dam in the world, today the dam provides irrigation and electricity for the whole of Egypt.

2. 2

   Unfinished Obelisk

   1 hour

   the Unfinished Obelisk. Much of the granite used for Egypt’s temples was quarried in Aswan and in the Northern Quarry you will find an unfinished obelisk that has remained in situ ever since a crack was discovered as it was hewn from the rock. Possibly intended as a companion to the Lateran Obelisk that once stood proud at Karnak, if completed the obelisk would have been the largest piece of stone ever handled.

3. 3

   Temple of Philae

   2 hours

   the beautiful Temple of Philae. Dismantled and reassembled on higher ground after the completion of the Aswan High Dam threatened its existence, the temple is dedicated to the goddess Isis and is set on its own island. The temple is widely regarded as the prettiest in Egypt.

• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.